Early history

For over 400 years, the Tampa Bay area of Florida has attracted a wide
variety of visitors to its shores. Some of the first were the Tocobaga
Indians, who enjoyed the bounty of the harvest from Tampa Bay and the
Gulf of Mexico. The savory clams, oysters, conchs, whelks, and fish
taken from the pristine waters must have been delightful as well as
plentiful. But eventually all good things must come to an end, and
unfortunately, their paradise was spoiled with the coming of the first
white man.

On April 15, 1528, a Spanish explorer by the name of Panfilo de Narvaez
landed on the west coast of Florida. It is believed he came ashore
somewhere between St. Petersburg Beach and Clearwater. He and his
group of conquistadors explored the barrier islands of this area before
moving up the coast.

On May 30, 1539, a well-known Spanish explorer came to the Tampa Bay
area and began a conquest which would change the world. Hernando De
Soto came ashore on or near the south shores of Tampa Bay. He began his
expedition of the southeastern region of what is now the United States,
encountering Indians and hard times as he passed through this beautiful
territory. He died on May 21, 1542, and was buried in the Mississippi
River to prevent his body from being taken by the Indians.

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